Alex sat on his desk, the blue glow of his computer screen casting shadows can clearly seen across on his tired face. The clock on the wall ticked past midnight, the hours he lost to his latest obsession. His fingers covered on the keyboard, scrolling through the latest chapter of Immortal Blade Saga, his favorite cultivation novel. The protagonist was moments away from his breakthrough to the Nascent Soul stage, and Alex could feel his own excitement.
"What If i got chance to live in world like that," he muttered, rubbing his bleary eyes. In those stories, cultivators harnessed mystical energies, defied the laws of nature, and ascended to immortality. It was a escape from his boring existence as a software engineer, where the most thrilling moments were fixing bugs in someone else's code.
A sudden,he felt sharp pain through his chest. he touched his chest where he felt the pain but it was too late. His vision blurred, He was only 28—too young for this. he often visit his local doctor for his chest pain. But now, the pain intensified, his last thought a desperate wish: I want a life worth living.
Darkness swallowed him whole.
When Alex opened his eyes, the familiar room of his computer was gone. Instead, he was lay on a bed which made out of silk, surrounded by a chamber that looked like it belonged in an ancient Chinese palace. This thing made him wonder
"This… this isn't my room."
His voice sounded different. He stand up slowly, his body fees more heavier and more solid than it should be. looking down, he saw hands that isn't his own: most of his fingers had a jade rings. His heart pounded as he make a conclusion."This can't be real," he whispered, go out of bed. His legs trembled, unaccepted to the weight of the robes that around his ankles. He caught sight of a bronze mirror across the room and rushed towards it.
The face he is looking is not his own. It belong to the man in his thirties, with sharp, handsome features. His clothes are embroidered with swirling cloud patterns, giving the aura of authority. Alex stated to breathe heavily.
"I've been reincarnated," he murmured,with disbelief and with a flicker of excitement. This is a cultivation world, straight out of the novels he'd read in his previous life. He is no longer Alex Carter, software engineer. He is someone else entirely different person.
A knock on the door stopped him from his thoughts. "Sect Master Yun, are you awake?" a voice called, firm yet respectful.
Sect Master Yun? Alex froze. this must be his new identity—a sect leader, a position of power in this world."Yes, come in," he replied, hoping his voice carried the authority it needed.
The door opened, it is a young woman in blue disciple robes. she bowed deeply,her hands clasped in a formal salute. "Sect Master, the elders are waiting for you in the main hall. They wish to discuss the upcoming sect competition."
Alex's mind stated to think rapidly. Sect competition? He recalled that in the cultivation stories, sectors often compete for resources, prestige, and dominance through such events. But he have no idea what his sect's situation is, who these elders were, or even where the main hall was.
"Uh, alright. I'll be there shortly," he said, forcing a note of confidence into his tone.
The disciple hesitated, her brow furrowing slightly as if puzzled, but she bowed again and retreated, closing the door behind him.
Alex finally feels comfortable. He needed information—and fast. His eyes scanned around the room, and finally rested on a carved wooden desk cluttered with scrolls, books, and a few glowing jade slips. Maybe there was something there to help him piece together his new reality.
He unrolled a scroll and scanned its contents. It was a roster of sect members, listing names and cultivation levels. At the top: Sect Master Yun Tian, Golden Core stage.
Golden Core stage. In many cultivation systems, that was a significant milestone, a level of power that commanded respect. Alex felt a sense of relief—he isn't starting from scratch. But relief quickly turned into anxiety. He have no idea how to access that power, how to sense his own cultivation.
In the novels, cultivators could feel their dantian—the spiritual core within—and the qi flowing through their meridians. Maybe he could try that. He sit cross legged on the floor and closed his eyes, and focused inward.
To his amazement, he finally feel it: a warm, pulsing orb of energy in his lower abdomen. Streams of power flowed from it, coursing through his body like rivers of light. It was exhilarating, undeniable proof that this was real. He is truly in a cultivation world.
But he can not afford to get lost in wonder. He had to play the part of Sect Master Yun Tian, or the people will notice something was off. An idea struck him: he can pretend to have amnesia and he lost all his memorise. It would let him ask questions without raising too much suspicion.
With that plan in mind, Alex—now Yun Tian—adjusted his robes and stepped out of his chamber. The view of the sect is a breathtaking sight: pagodas with upturned eaves towered over courtyards nestled among mist-shrouded mountains. Disciples in flowing robes bow down as he passed near from them, their eyes filled with respect.
He followed the path toward the meeting what he assume where is the main hall is, guided by the faint of voices. When he entered, a group of older cultivators rose from their seats around a large, polished table and bowed deeply.
Sect Master, we are relieved to see that you are well and healthy," one of them said, his voice is with concern. "After the assassination attempt, we feared the worst thing might happened to our sector but now, you are fine we finally relieved."
Assassination attempt? Alex's mouth dropped. So this is how the original Yun Tian had died—and how he ended up in this body. He is already in danger, and its been only been here a few minutes.
"I… seem to have forget all of my memorise," he said cautiously, testing his amnesia excuse. "Can you tell me of the current situation of the sector?"
The elders exchanged glances, a flicker of surprise in can be seen their eyes. A stern-looking man with a long, silver beard stepped forward. "Of course, Sect leader. Two days ago, you were poisoned during the banquet. Elder Li removed the toxin in time, but the person responsible for a crime has not been caught and is still free."
now it can be explained why he'd woken up in bed, weak but alive. The original Yun Tian must have died, leaving an opening for Alex's soul to take over.
"Do we have any suspects?" Alex asked, keeping his tone steady.
Elder Li nodded "yes, we believe it was the Shadow Serpent Sect. they want our spirit vein for years, and their assassins are known for their subtlety."
Shadow Serpent Sect. A rival faction, likely as powerful as his own Azure Cloud Sect—if that was the name of its own sector. Alex needed to learn more about the political landscape, but he can not push too hard without seeming out of character.
"And the sect competition?" he asked, changing to a topic he can understand from his novel knowledge.
A sharp-eyed woman among the elders spoke up her name is Tang Lingxi, "Our disciples are training very had for that, but we are in the short on the resources. The spiritual herbs needed for their own cultivation are nearly depleted, and the competition is only a 6 month away."
Resources are a crucial issue in the cultivation worlds. Sects relied on herbs, pills, and rare materials to fuel their disciples's progress.
"Is there a way to acquire more resources?" Alex asked.
"We could negotiate with the merchants, but their prices are very high," the woman replied. "Alternatively, we could only send a team to the Misty Forest to gather herbs, though it is a very dangerous task."
The Misty Forest. In novels, such places were treasure troves guarded by deadly beasts and hidden perils. It was risky, but it could also be a chance to prove himself.
"Perhaps we should organize an exploration to misty forest this is only things we can do for now," Alex suggested.
"It would be good training method for the disciples, and we can also secure the resources we need."The elders murmured among themselves, some nodding in approval.
"A wise decision, Sect Master," Elder Li said. "We will begin the preparations immediately."
Alex felt a slight of relief. He might actually pull this off. But he knew he was on borrowed time—enemies were out there, and he have to master his cultivation powers quickly.
As the meeting adjourned, Alex decided to explore the sector. He needed to get a feel for his new home and perhaps uncover more about the original Yun Tian's life.
He wandered through the courtyards, watching the disciples practicing the martial arts and meditate. One young woman caught his eye—she sparred with a dual partner, her movements was like fluid and precise, easily outmatching her opponent.
Curious, Alex approached her. The disciples who seen the alex stopped mid-motion and bowed deeply.
"Sect Master," they said in unison."Continue your training," he said, then added, "What are your name?"
The young woman stepped forward, her eyes are bright with determination. "I am Lin Xue, and this is my junior brother, Wang Hao."
Lin Xue. The name sparked a memory—often, cultivation stories featured a talented female disciple who became a key ally. Could she play that role here?
Alex smiled. "Keep it up. I expect great things from you."
Lin Xue's cheeks flushed slightly as she bowed again. "Thank you, Sect Master."
As he walked away, He needed more insight into Yun Tian's past. he finally retuned to his own room wondering how can he can increase his strength quickly.